Heart failure and neonatal hypocalcaemia.

Abstract

Six infants had congestive heart failure for which no cause could be found apart from a low serum calcium. All except one recovered completely and had normal chest x-ray appearances and E.C.G.s on discharge from hospital. Necropsy on the infant who died shoed engorgement and dilation of the right side of the heart and a small ductus but no other abnormalities. It is suggested that hypocalcaemia should be considered as a possible cause of heart failure in infants, especially when oedema is prominent.